Drug protects blood-brain barrier, combats Alzheimer's in mice

A new drug has shown promise in protecting the blood-brain barrier in mice, potentially offering a novel approach to treating Alzheimer's disease. The drug, SW033291, targets the immune enzyme 15-PGDH, which is elevated in neurodegenerative conditions. It successfully prevented cognitive impairment and protected the blood-brain barrier in mice, even after injury. This research, published in PNAS, suggests a new treatment pathway, as it doesn't focus on amyloid, a target of many existing Alzheimer's drugs. The findings highlight 15-PGDH as a potential target for protecting against neurodegenerative diseases.